this particular case of David and Bath-sheba neither of them had a right to the child and so there was no injustice in their being deprived of it. Besides, as an uncircumcised, unnamed infant it had not as yet developed any personality pattern or consciousness so as to appreciate life. Then again, Bath-sheba could have been stoned to death for her adultery, in which case the unborn child would also have perished. However, as previously noted in The Watchtower, David was shown mercy because of the Kingdom covenant, which Jehovah had made with him. Nevertheless, to drive home the fact of Jehovah’s displeasure he let the child die, which was a very severe blow to King David. Two similar instances are recorded in David’s life: One was in connection with the death of Uzzah, who tried to steady the ark of the covenant; the other was the destruction of tens of thousands of Israelites because King David presumptuously and proudly determined to number the hosts of Israel. (1 Chron. 15:13; 21:1-27) Such records as these magnify the supremacy of Jehovah God and underscore the words: “He [God] doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”—Dan. 4:35, AS.

● Which is the correct form of the tetragrammaton: יהוה, as found in “Let God Be True” and “Equipped for Every Good Work,” or יְהוָֹה, as found in Strong’s and Young’s concordances?—R. R. W., U.S.A.

The form you list first is the absolute form of the Hebrew tetragrammaton as shown in the Society’s publications you mention. The second form, as taken from the concordances, is the tetragrammaton with vowel points above and beneath it. At first, as is well known, Hebrew script was written altogether without any vowels, the vowel sounds being handed down by oral tradition. Vowel points were added later on to help readers pronounce the Hebrew text correctly and get the correct meaning out of it. It is generally understood that the vowel points that Dr. Young and Dr. Strong show really represent the vowels belonging to the Hebrew word Adonay, and these vowel points were really an indication to the Jewish reader that when he came to the tetragrammaton, the pronunciation of which had been lost to knowledge, he should read the title Adonay, meaning “the Lord,” instead of trying to pronounce the tetragrammaton. This course was resorted to by the Jewish clergy because they thought it sacrilegious even to pronounce the name of Jehovah and that to do so was a violation of the commandment not to take the name of Jehovah our God in vain. This religious notion accounts for the fact that the name of Jehovah appears so rarely in the authorized or King James version, even as noted in the preface of the American Standard Version.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

During August Jehovah’s witnesses will continue ‘using initiative and defense in their ministry.’ (1 Pet. 3:13, 15) They will offer to all persons the splendid Bible-study aid “Your Will Be Done on Earth” together with another book and two booklets, on a $1 contribution. Would you like to share in this Christian service? You can receive further information by going to the Kingdom Hall in your vicinity or by writing to the publishers of this magazine.

THERE IS STILL TIME!

World conditions threaten even though peace talks and disarmament conferences have gone on among the nations’ leaders. In view of such you will want to be present at one of the Peace-pursuing District Assemblies of Jehovah’s witnesses to absorb the excellent counsel from God’s Word now due to be understood. The featured talk “Security During ‘War of the Great Day of God the Almighty’” will thrill you! Write the office of The Watchtower for particulars. There is still time!

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

September 4: The Unity of the Christian Church, ¶1-17. Page 465.

September 11: The Unity of the Christian Church, ¶18, 19, and The Mark of the Spirit. Page 470.